Thursday, April 28, 2011

Hello everyone. I am sorry for the break in posting yesterday. Life has just been extra busy. I thought I'd just share some thoughts and links today and give you a little update.

Last week I told you about a job opportunity I was pondering. I am happy to say that the fit is just right for me and I began doing blog outreach work for a wonderful company based in California late last week. I can work from home and I get to talk with other bloggers about natural, green beauty products. I get to write, do social media, and I also get to work a very flexible schedule. I've found the work to be lots of fun as well!

I also have been busily preparing for Mayday Underground Arts + Craft, which will be held at the Main Street Armory in Rochester from 10-4 this Saturday. I will have my complete line of jewelry there. Prices will be discounted a bit because I want to clear out as much as possible, as I will be taking a break from my jewelry for a while. My writing gigs, need for more time heading into summer, plus a sore and swollen right hand from the repetitive motion when I use my jewelry tools is the reason.

I've also been busy blogging for the Democrat & Chronicle, Rochester's largest daily newspaper. I'd love for you to check out today's piece about Elizabeth West Thompson, a friend and local mom. You may know her from the blog, Chandelierious. Anyway, she is back on stage after a long hiatus to perform in "Tommy."

In other news, I've told you before about my talented local friend Tanvi from Excessary. She's going to be at Mayday on Saturday as well. I have to give a shout out to her because she just launched a line of clothing she designed called Peppermint. Her clothes are stunning. Check out her new line today!

Lastly, I had fun and good conversation last night going out to dinner with my friend Christine from the blog A Good Life. We braved a tornado watch and horrible wind and rain to meet at Irondequoit's Monte Alban Mexican Grill on East Ridge Road. Yum!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Ever since I started this blog, I have been on the hunt for the perfect mascara--my holy grail, so to speak. Truth be told, that quest started years and years ago...but I mentioned the quest early on in the days of C & G.

I really liked the original formula, but the results were not very dramatic. This one gives you very full and long lashes. I still use my Shu Uemera eyelash curler, but this mascara rivals any volumizing formula laden with chemicals in terms of performance. It is 100% natural, petrochemical and paraben free, and the oils are non GMO. Best of all? It was just under $9.

This is so new that it is not yet on the Organic Wear website, but it is available online at drugstore.com and it was available at my local Target store (where it's cheaper than online).

With ingredients such as algae extract, peptides, and soothing aloe juice, this one is C & G approved and recommended. It is free of any harmful chemicals and will be a treat for your skin.

HOW TO ENTER:

There are three ways to enter. You can become a FOLLOWER of this blog right here in the left column. All of my followers are entered!

All FACEBOOK FANS of C & G are automatically entered, too. Head over and "like" the page if you haven't already and you'll be entered to win all of my giveaways. You can also enter by leaving a comment on this post. Want BONUS entries? Tweet about this on TWITTER and get an extra entry. GOOD LUCK TO YOU! Enter from now until 12pm EDT Monday. I will announce a winner Monday afternoon!

*Family members of C & G are not eligible to enter. US entrants only, please. Must be 12 or older to enter.

Friday, April 22, 2011

{good reads: for kids}

Today, as you know, is Earth Day. My boys are very interested in topics related to the environment and we try to be as green as possible. Nick is in charge of the recycling bins here at home and Ben's job is to see what the number is on the plastic products to see if which bin they go in.

We have several children's books on the topic and I thought I would share them with you today.

It is never too early (or too late) to become more eco-conscious. The two books in the middle are Nick's favorites. Ben enjoys the others (he is younger). All 4 are available on Amazon.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

I know most of you are eco-conscious shoppers like me and I wanted to tell you about a website where you can shop green from head to toe--everything from natural makeup to nail polish and bath products. The website is called Nature's Basin and offers products in all price ranges for the savvy shopper.

They have 20 different brands and over 400 different products and I was thrilled to see some familiar products, many of them in the natural skin care genre. I've tried several of the products offered at Nature's Basin before and to see them all "under one roof" is great!

Some favorites:

A new favorite soap here at Chic & Green is the Tunisian Olive Oil and Coconut soap from Pangea Organics. I actually tried this for the first time just last week and my skin feels so pampered. Made without palm oil (yay!), this contains soybean, olive oil, hemp, and coconut oil and makes my skin feel oh so soft. It also is fragrance free and can be used by all of us--from the boys to me to my picky hubby.

$7.75

I wear sunscreen 365 days a year. I recently purchased Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 because it came highly rated by the EWG. In fact, it was #1. This really is a fabulous natural (NO CHEMICALS) sunscreen and I use it with confidence on my family.

$19

Are you looking for the perfect, toxin free pedicure color? This is my favorite fuchsia these days--Tartan Swizzle from Scotch Naturals.

There is notoluene, dibutyl phthelate, formaldehyde, acetone, or heavy metals in this product.

$14.95

I also have a coupon code to share with you! Save an additional 10% off your order now through April 30 using code MOM2011. You'll also get free shipping with purchases $49 or greater and they have an unconditional 90 day money back guarantee so you can shop with confidence.

Monday, April 18, 2011

The boys and I have had a wonderful day so far. This is a huge improvement over Friday's tantrum from my seven year old--when he muttered that I was the worst mother in the world.

Nick and Ben have spring break this week and it is in the 30s and snowing. Yuck. That didn't stop us from having a great day. We were up and around and headed to Tim Horton's so I could have my morning coffee. We met a retired friend there who is a bit like a surrograte grandfather to the boys and loves to talk about Star Wars with them. They chatted and read their book about Droids while I had my mug of coffee.

We then headed to the city's East and Park Avenue area so Nick could look at new frames. His glasses were stepped on by a friend the other day and we thought they were ruined. The clever person at the optical shop was able to repair them and Nick chose some nice sassy teal and navy frames to go with his new prescription.

After that, we went to Goodwill in the city and I found a pretty china cup and saucer, Lands' End khaki jacket for $3, and some chapter books for the boys.

We then met my hubby at work and went to Jines on Park Avenue for lunch. They have a new menu for kids to go along with the Monroe County 5-2-1-0 Be a Healthy Hero eating well campaign. The kids can choose roasted turkey and swiss with cranberries on whole wheat, Tabouleh, whole wheat French toast, and more.

Checking out the new summer Vera Bradley bags at Parkleigh was also on the list:

Last stop after being so patient....Stever's! What mom in her right mind would take two little boys to a candy store a few days before the Easter Bunny comes? This mom....

This historic candy shop only has "Bacon & Eggs" one week out of the year. This is the week....Nick "had to" have some:

When we returned home, I had something cool waiting for me in the mail:

My friend, Kath, sent me an extra 100% Pure Foundation Powder she had in my color that has to be used before it expires. A big thank you to Kath! I cannot wait to try it and tell you how I like it.

In other news....I am pondering a job opportunity. It was not something I was looking for....I happened to get an email about it and it sounds right up my alley. Part-time. Marketing.Communicating with fellow bloggers.Being involved with several green and organic beauty companies. Working from home on my own terms.It could just be my dream job.

At some point, something has to give....I cannot make and sell jewelry, have a vintage shop, do freelance work, blog for the newspaper about my town, have two blogs, volunteer, and add on a new job. As much as I would love to be able to do everything, I know my limits and have been down that road before pretending to be Super Woman. I learned that with my facial line. I grew from that, learned so much, and ending up closing the door on that chapter.

You know what, though? I love, love, love everything I have been doing with blogging and my freelance writing. This job opportunity is really intruiging.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Today has been one of those days. You know the kind. It's one of those days when you can't find your other shoe...the kind of day when you accidentally drop your little pot of bronzer in the sink and it spills everywhere. What a mess...

That's how the day started...then my 7 year old told me I was "the worst mommy ever" all because I told him the word NO.I'm quite agreeable and easy going, but I do believe in setting boundaries and limits for my children so I actually have to say no sometimes. Ouch, though. The words "worst mommy ever" really did sting!

After Ben came home from kindergarten this morning, Nick's teacher called me from school. I could hear my kiddo crying in the background. While at recess, his glasses fell off his face (not sure how that one happened) and landed on the grass, only for his friend to step on them and completely demolish them. This actually made me think of the scene from "A Christmas Story" when Ralphie's glasses broke when he shot them with his Red Ryder BB gun an icicle fell and hit him.

The boys are both home now, arguing...what a long spring break I think it's going to be next week!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Today continues our showcase of the local artists participating in Mayday Underground at the Main Street Armory on April 30th. Let's take a look at some of the Rochester area's most talented women and men:

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